World Cup 2026 Group K preview: Prediction, odds, full team overviews
Portugal is the clear favorite in Group K, but with an aging Cristiano Ronaldo, the perennial powerhouse might be on upset watch.Can Colombia, Uzbekistan or DR Congo shake things up?The Post previews Group K at the World Cup.Teams listed in predicted order of finish.Odds to win the group: -200What you need to know: Cristiano Ronaldo will be the center of attention for Portugal, but it’s not even clear that the team is at its best with the 41-year-old in its starting 11.
Ronaldo has just one goal in 10 matches between the last World Cup and European Championship, and that was a penalty.Moreover, Portugal often has looked more relaxed and cohesive at those tournaments without Ronaldo on the field.
Even so, the thought of Ronaldo not playing a huge role at this World Cup is hard to digest.How they play: Portugal flits between a back three and a back four, sometimes mid-match, and uses an aggressive press.Their fullbacks, usually Nuno Mendes and Diogo Dalot, push high up the field.
Though Portugal is comfortable without dominating possession, midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes, João Neves and Bernardo Silva have so much creativity and can make things happen.Star player: For all the focus on Ronaldo, Fernandes, the Manchester United captain, is Portugal’s best player on a week-in, week-out basis.You would be hard-pressed to find a player more consistent at the club level this season.
Terrifically creative, always around the ball and as durable as they come, Fernandes has grown into a legitimate superstar over the past handful of seasons.World Cup history: For a country we’re used to hyping up as one of the favorites, Portugal’s World Cup pedigree is a tad underwhelming.A third-place finish in 1966 and a fourth-place finish in 2006 mark their only two semifinal appearances.
In the Ronaldo era, a quarterfinal loss to Morocco four years ago, when Ronaldo didn’t start either knockout-stage game, is Portugal’s best result.Odds: +200What you need to know: Co...